Openbucks has announced the launch of its Gift Card Payment Network which lets consumers use gift cards from trusted retail brands as payment at online sites.

"We've created Openbucks to provide consumers with a simple and safe way to pay online – similar to cash in the brick-and-mortar world," said Marc Rochman, CEO and founder of Openbucks. "Twenty-five percent of U.S. households and most U.S. teens have no or very limited access to credit cards, and many consumers are leery of giving out financial information. We're aiming to give these people a frictionless way to purchase online."